Charleston Battery News Release -- www.charlestonbattery.com
Friday, February 24, 2012
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The 2012 Carolina Challenge Cup kicks off Saturday at Blackbaud Stadium with two matches featuring Major League Soccer clubs. Last year's tournament winner D.C. United begins the defense of their title at 5 p.m. with a game against MLS Eastern Conference rivals the Chicago Fire. At 7:15 p.m. the Charleston Battery square off against 2004 Challenge Cup champions the Columbus Crew.
This is the ninth consecutive year that the Charleston Battery has hosted the Carolina Challenge Cup and with D.C. United winning the tournament in both 2010 and 2011 United will have the opportunity to become the first side to win three consecutive tournaments.
Gates open at 4 p.m. and tickets are still available for Saturday’s games starting at $15 with discounts available for groups of 10 or more (advance purchase only); to purchase tickets or for more information please visit www.charlestonbattery.com or call (843) 971-GOAL (4625).
D.C. United vs Chicago Fire – 5 p.m.
D.C. United defeated the Chicago Fire 1-0 in last year's Carolina Challenge Cup with the lone goal scored by forward Blake Brettschneider in the 10th minute. The Fire played most of the game a man short after Diego Chaves was ejected towards the end of the first half. The teams will meet again twice this year on August 22 at RFK stadium and on October 27 in Chicago.
D.C. United – Three Players To Watch
Andy Najar (#14): A product of the club’s Youth Academy, Andy Najar has become a key piece for United in the last two years. After being named the 2010 MLS Rookie of the Year, the young Honduran equaled his MLS rookie scoring mark of five goals in 2011, providing six assists to United’s attack in 31 League matches (28 starts). Najar also entered the international scene last year, making his debut with the Honduran national team.
Chris Pontius (#13): Currently the club’s longest-tenured player, Pontius enjoyed a career season last year before suffering a broken leg on 9/10/11 at Chivas USA. Prior to that time, the third-year player started all 25 matches that he played in for the Black-and-Red during the 2011 season, cementing his position on the left side of United’s midfield with seven goals and five assists.
Dwayne De Rosario (#7): The reigning MLS MVP, De Rosario compiled his finest professional campaign last season with 16 goals and 12 assists, earning the Budweiser Golden Boot award as well. The Canadian playmaker was pivotal to D.C. United’s postseason push after joining the Black-and-Red on 6/27/11. Last year, De Rosario became the first player in United history to record two regular-season hat tricks, including the fastest hat trick in MLS history against Real Salt Lake in September. “DeRo” also became the first player in MLS history to score for three different teams in the same campaign, having played for Toronto FC, NY Red Bulls and United in 2011.
Chicago Fire – Three Players To Watch
Sebastian Grazzini (#10): An Argentine playmaker with flair in the middle of the park, Sebastian Grazzini joined the Fire midseason and helped the Men in Red win seven of their final 10 matches in 2011. Grazzini tallied five goals and four assists in 11 games while helping the Fire to their second best finish in club history.
Pavel Pardo (#17): Two-time Mexican World Cup veteran Pavel Pardo bosses the midfield for the Chicago Fire. The former Club America and Stuttgart standout had one goal and four assists after joining the Fire halfway through the 2011 campaign. Pardo’s vision and leadership make him one to watch in the midfield.
Dominic Oduro (#8): The fleet Ghanaian forward returns to the Fire in 2012 after a career-high 12 goal season in 2011. Dominic Oduro captured the Fire’s golden boot, eclipsing his previous career best five goals by a significant seven. Oduro is keen to keep his goal scoring form heading into his seventh season in MLS.
Charleston Battery vs Columbus Crew – 7:15 p.m.
The Charleston Battery have played the Columbus Crew three times, twice in the Challenge Cup and once in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, losing on each occasion. After winning the inaugural Carolina Challenge Cup in 2004 the Crew returned to defend their title in ’05 but could only manage a third place finish. This will be the first meeting between the sides since the Battery’s 2010 Open Cup quarterfinal defeat in a game played at Crew Stadium.
The Crew roster features former Charleston Battery striker Tom Heinemann; Heinemann played two seasons with the Battery (2009 & 2010) and was a member of the Battery’s 2010 USL Second Division Championship-winning side.
“I’m really excited to go back to Charleston,” said Tom Heinemann. “The Battery gave me my first job as a pro and it holds a special place in my heart and I’m very happy to see all my old friends and participate in such a great tournament.”
Columbus Crew – Three Players To Watch
Milovan Mirosevic (#10): New acquisition from Chile. Captained his team in Chile and is a versatile attacking midfielder that can wreak havoc on defensive lines and score from distance.
Ethan Finlay (#13): The MLS SuperDraft first round draft pick is a speedy midfielder/forward who has been training at right midfield to supplant the absence of Dilly Duka, who is with the U.S. U-23s preparing for Olympic qualifiers.
Carlos Mendez (#4): Veteran centerback selected in the re-entry process to supplant the absence of injured Jullius James. Played all of his pro career with New York.